The largest city in western Massachusetts has hired a new chief public records-keeper.
The Springfield City Council selected Tasheena Davis, an Associate Solicitor in the city’s Law Department, to be the next city clerk. She will be the first African American woman to hold the job in the city’s history.
"I am extremely elated to serve the city of Springfield in a new role as city clerk," said Davis. " I am thankful to the City Council. I am thankful to Mayor (Domenic) Sarno. I am thankful to everyone who came here to support me tonight."
Her appointment as clerk is effective on August 1st. Davis will succeed Anthony Wilson, who is leaving Springfield City Hall after three years as clerk to become the city clerk in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Davis received the votes of eight city councilors. Four councilors voted for Nancy Ramos, a Springfield attorney, who was the other finalist.
Councilors who voted for Davis praised her knowledge of municipal laws and ordinances and her first-hand experience with open meeting and public records laws. Since June 2016, Davis has served as legal advisor to the City Council.
Addressing the councilors at Monday night’s special meeting, Davis stressed her work experience in City Hall.
" I am the most qualified candidate for this position," said Davis.
The city clerk is responsible for an office that keeps vital public records including birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, local ordinances, business permits, and records municipal financial transactions.
Located just inside the front entrance to City Hall on the first floor, the clerk’s office is the one most visited by the public. There is a staff of 15 people.
75 people applied for the position. An ad-hoc committee of three councilors screened the applicants, interviewed five of them in private, and then conducted a second round of interviews in public Monday night with three finalists.
The committee recommended the full council choose between Davis and Ramos, eliminating Jonathan Elliott, a retired criminal defense attorney, from consideration.
City Council President Justin Hurst said there were a number of qualified candidates and “Attorney Davis rose to the top.”
" It is all about the process," said Hurst. " It went according to plan and worked itself out in this final vote."
